Populism, Eco-populism, and the Future of Environmentalism

"""Professor James Stone has written a book that is just what we need to help us solve our myriad ecological, economic, and political problems. As he wisely points out, we should pursue a discussion of how to build a better world so that we can transition from our deeply flawed, current system -- and he delivers on his goal. Stone examines the original Populists and shows how FDR’s New Deal can be used as a model for a newer, greener one. Critically, he explores how a Green New Deal can be offered as an attractive alternative to the rise of right-wing authoritarian populism. Solving our ecological crisis requires creating an equitable economy, which in turn will lead to a more diverse, tolerant politics; our major dilemmas are interconnected, and call forth a systematic response. Using an adroit combination of scholarly and journalistic sources along with complementary commentary, Stone takes us on a journey of past, current, and visionary proposals that should be of great interest to academics, activists, and all concerned citizens."" Jon Rynn, author of Manufacturing Green Prosperity: The Power to Rebuild the American Middle Class ""Populism, Eco-Populism, and the Future of Environmentalism offers a deep dive into the nature of populism all in the interest of making it very clear what we need to do to forge the widespread support needed to deal with the existential threat of the climate crisis. James Stone makes a powerful case that nothing short of a deep commitment to progressive eco-populism, a broadly inclusive framework of environmental justice, will build sufficient support for the changes we need."" Cynthia Kaufman, Director of the Vasconcellos Institute for Democracy in Action at De Anza College, USA, and author of The Sea is Rising and So Are We: A Climate Justice Handbook ""This book does many useful things--especially in distinguishing between sham populisms, including on environmental questions, and the long and sturdy American tradition of actually standing up to power and trying to build a community that rests on solidarity and common interest. It will teach you a ton!"" Bill McKibben, author of The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks Back at His Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened"